Don't care. It was a very weak Swansea side and I'm not going to let myself get excited. We're looking at a finish in the 6-10 range in the league this year, which was what I predicted at first. I just hope we can keep a hold of the players we need to keep a hold of, ie Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling, Coutinho, Agger and Johnson.

Don't read too much into it. I don't think this was the launching pad for our champions league campaign or anything, but its just nice to see a 5-0 result when your team has been playing like hot garbage for an extended period of time. 6th place is probably the ceiling for us this year, hopefully we can make some astute signings in the summer and push forward next year.

How many years have we been saying that now? This is why it's so hard being a Liverpool fan. That year we finished 2nd with Benitez, I REALLY thought we were a cert for the league the following year. Robbie Keane was brought in, and like almost every other big signing we make, he sucked balls. Forgot how to score, and the team eventually imploded. I say eventually - we never really got going. Then Torres forgot how to score and Benitez was sacked in the midst of all the backroom drama with the owners.

While I am a relatively new diehard Liverpool supporter compared to many, we all as hardcore sports fans know that our team can go through multiple decades of mediocrity and general lack of success. We all sign up for it. It's why I choose the celebrate the small victories, as meaningless as they may be, because it could be another month before it happens again.

Will it ever be like the "Old days" in Liverpool where success was pretty much a guarantee? Who knows, but I choose to believe that it will because it sure beats believing the alternative.

I'm sure Man Utd fans thought they were cursed in the 70's and 80's, Celtic in the 90's, Arsenal fans probably feel that way just now. That's football for you, it runs in cycles. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of luck such as some great youngsters coming through or giving a manager a bit of time- i.e Ferguson once being a game away from the sack.

It will be interesting to see what happens when Ferguson retires, I don't think any other manager can build so many successful teams and maintain that success. I therefore think Man Utd will still be good but not as often. If the Premier League or UEFA have the balls to put a salary cap or debt to earnings ratio it will be interesting to see what happens to Chelsea and City as well.

Liverpool have the support and with it the money. I think they are handicapped by Anfield though due to it's size and should have at least a 60,000 stadium to maximise that revenue. That is a matter that should have been addressed years ago. The mediocrity won't last forever though.

Arsenal have the makings of a good side but i'm not convinced by the spine of the team. Campbell, Viera and Henry have never been effectively replaced. For all Wenger has done for the club, it might be time for him to step aside and bring in a new coach with fresh ideas and inspiration.

Gatehawk wrote:Who else thinks Spurs this season rely as much on Bale as Arsenal did last year with RvP? Because to me, it seems like Spurs would be in a cluster**** of trouble without him.

Bale has been freakin' awesome of late. Certainly a van Persie-like impact. The whole team's been playing well though, for the most part. Spurs are allowing the fewest shots on goal of any team in the league, which obviously helps too. But yeah, Bale's certainly earned us some points recently that we wouldn't have got without him.

Here's a good article about Bale and Spurs which does something almost unheard of in the British media: give AVB some credit.

Uncle Si wrote:Thrilled by today. Brilliant from Suarez and Coutinho. Outstanding by Pepe. Like when this team shows its class. Come on Spurs, set up next weekend with a stomp tomorrow...

Awesome showing by the Reds today, pretty boring second half actually as the game had already been put to bed.

Can someone explain the "fair play" rule to me? I heard Chelsea currently lead, but won't likely need it and Liverpool are second, and can get into the Europa league through this?

Thanks in advance.

I think it's to do with discipline records.

As for the team in general, I'm thrilled with the prospect of a Sturridge/Suarez/Coutinho front line, thinking we can score goals for fun next year. Sill need a solid CM and a big CB, but scoring has definitely improved over the last few years.

The Fair Play rule is a mixture of player discipline, FA fines and such as well as fan and stadium behavior (i think) Arsenal (Not Chelsea) are first I believe. We are second. More than likely 6th in the table will result in Europa. We are close. Need to be consistent. But with only Chelsea and Spurs (both at home) in the top 10 left on our schedule we have a favorable run in

Rumors are coming out that a Middle Eastern group are looking into the possibility of offering a 1.5 billion pound bid for Arsenal. Moreso this apparently has been going on for the last 4 months.

Now if this is true, and I seriously don't know whether or not there's any weight whatsoever, I'm a bit split on what to think. I'm not someone who likes teams "buying" trophies, but I despise Kroenke's running of the club that he's the majority owner of and want him gone no matter how it happens.

Gatehawk wrote:Rumors are coming out that a Middle Eastern group are looking into the possibility of offering a 1.5 billion pound bid for Arsenal. Moreso this apparently has been going on for the last 4 months.

Now if this is true, and I seriously don't know whether or not there's any weight whatsoever, I'm a bit split on what to think. I'm not someone who likes teams "buying" trophies, but I despise Kroenke's running of the club that he's the majority owner of and want him gone no matter how it happens.

I just don't see it happening, Gate. Arsenal aren't in desperate need of cash. They have a new stadium, and aren't in debt. They're probably one of the best run teams from a financial perpective in the whole FA.

peachesenregalia wrote:I just don't see it happening, Gate. Arsenal aren't in desperate need of cash. They have a new stadium, and aren't in debt. They're probably one of the best run teams from a financial perpective in the whole FA.

But if Kroenke truely is only in this for the money, then it could definitely happen. Like I said before, I'm in the middle. I doubt Usmanov would sell his stake in the club, but Kroenke is a whole other matter.

Great match. Great result for Spurs. Poor defending by Arsenal in that 5 minute spurt. Only themselves to blame there. And now Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal to battle it out for 4 through 7 with the 11 to go. Liverpool have the easiest run in, with Spurs and Chelsea at home as the only fixtures left in the top 10. Spurs actually have actually one of the tougher run ins, but its hard to argue with how they are playing right now.

I suppose Liverpool have a puncher's chance at 4th, but I highly doubt it'll happen. Still, stranger things, I suppose. We're scoring goals now, and if the defense can be shored up for the run in, you never know what could happen. Look at how improbably Arsenal's chances were last season.

I sadly missed the game today and had to settle for listening to it on the radio. It sounded like a good game with both sides blowing good chances. I wish we'd stop letting Mertesacker score!

Obviously I'm delighted with the result and even more delighted with the 7 point lead over 5th place At the same time last year we were just 1 point above Arsenal and still almost held on. While 5th place is still distinctly possible it would now need us to lose a few games and both Arsenal and Chelsea to up their performance over the final 10 weeks.

And unlike last year our manager isn't pimping himself out for the England and Chelsea jobs while the team looks exhausted, disinterested and devoid of ideas.

peachesenregalia wrote:I suppose Liverpool have a puncher's chance at 4th, but I highly doubt it'll happen. Still, stranger things, I suppose. We're scoring goals now, and if the defense can be shored up for the run in, you never know what could happen. Look at how improbably Arsenal's chances were last season.

I think 5th place is a fairly realistic season ending result. Europa here we come! :/

peachesenregalia wrote:I suppose Liverpool have a puncher's chance at 4th, but I highly doubt it'll happen. Still, stranger things, I suppose. We're scoring goals now, and if the defense can be shored up for the run in, you never know what could happen. Look at how improbably Arsenal's chances were last season.

I think 5th place is a fairly realistic season ending result. Europa here we come! :/

I honestly hate the Europa league. I mean, it's money and it's a chance to compete in Europe and scout some guys, but I still hate it.

I REALLY like Coutinho. I like him on the wing in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, and I like him up front with Suarez and Sturridge in a 4-3-3. Sturridge was another good buy, I reckon. Allen seems to be finding his way a bit more, which is good. I think Shelvey and probably Henderson are gone in the summer. Probably Downing, too. Time to sut our losses and let Rodgers bring in guys that will fit what he wants to do. I've liked the Sturridge and Coutinho buys, and I think guys like Assaidi and Borini will provide good cover in the long run.

peachesenregalia wrote:I suppose Liverpool have a puncher's chance at 4th, but I highly doubt it'll happen. Still, stranger things, I suppose. We're scoring goals now, and if the defense can be shored up for the run in, you never know what could happen. Look at how improbably Arsenal's chances were last season.

I think 5th place is a fairly realistic season ending result. Europa here we come! :/

I honestly hate the Europa league. I mean, it's money and it's a chance to compete in Europe and scout some guys, but I still hate it.

I REALLY like Coutinho. I like him on the wing in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, and I like him up front with Suarez and Sturridge in a 4-3-3. Sturridge was another good buy, I reckon. Allen seems to be finding his way a bit more, which is good. I think Shelvey and probably Henderson are gone in the summer. Probably Downing, too. Time to sut our losses and let Rodgers bring in guys that will fit what he wants to do. I've liked the Sturridge and Coutinho buys, and I think guys like Assaidi and Borini will provide good cover in the long run.

I see Henderson staying, and Shelvey may get a loan deal. I dont see them selling him. Hes very useful and still young (same as Henderson). I do see Downing being sold, although its great to see him adding an impact to wins.

Coutinho's two assists indicate his class, and how he fits in with Suarez. I find that duo, with Sturridge, exciting enough that coupled with a Europa league stint may bring in another two dynamic, impactful players. I know you dont like Europa, peaches, but it serves a very useful purpose for the club in developing players as well as showing progress. I think many young players enamored with Liverpool can see 5th place and Europa as just one step away from being back to its former dominance... and for that I am excited.

peachesenregalia wrote:I suppose Liverpool have a puncher's chance at 4th, but I highly doubt it'll happen. Still, stranger things, I suppose. We're scoring goals now, and if the defense can be shored up for the run in, you never know what could happen. Look at how improbably Arsenal's chances were last season.

I think 5th place is a fairly realistic season ending result. Europa here we come! :/

I honestly hate the Europa league. I mean, it's money and it's a chance to compete in Europe and scout some guys, but I still hate it.

I REALLY like Coutinho. I like him on the wing in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, and I like him up front with Suarez and Sturridge in a 4-3-3. Sturridge was another good buy, I reckon. Allen seems to be finding his way a bit more, which is good. I think Shelvey and probably Henderson are gone in the summer. Probably Downing, too. Time to sut our losses and let Rodgers bring in guys that will fit what he wants to do. I've liked the Sturridge and Coutinho buys, and I think guys like Assaidi and Borini will provide good cover in the long run.

It was better as the UEFA cup when it was a straight knockout competition. The Europa League structure doesn't work, too many meaningless games and the money is pennies compared to the ECL. It's not like there are bad teams in it, a lot of good Spanish and Italian teams but it is marketed so crap and no English team really gives a crap about it.

Spurs will test "no English team gives a crap about it" this week. They are in an interesting dilemma with the first leg against Inter on Thursday, then a crucial away league tie at Liverpool on Sunday. They are in 3rd, need to get points to keep their Champs league position. But also are now deep in the Euro League tourney and play a very strong Inter squad.

What Spurs do with their Thursday lineup will speak volumes to how they perceive the Euro tournament (Im not disagreeing with Glasgow either). Will they rest important players to be better prepared for the Liverpool game and trying to secure that crucial top 4 spot? Or will they put a strong squad out and try and grab a home lead in the first leg? or risk both....

anyways, I see their particular position rather daunting, considering, and will be interested to see what choices AVB makes.

Uncle Si wrote:Spurs will test "no English team gives a crap about it" this week. They are in an interesting dilemma with the first leg against Inter on Thursday, then a crucial away league tie at Liverpool on Sunday. They are in 3rd, need to get points to keep their Champs league position. But also are now deep in the Euro League tourney and play a very strong Inter squad.

What Spurs do with their Thursday lineup will speak volumes to how they perceive the Euro tournament (Im not disagreeing with Glasgow either). Will they rest important players to be better prepared for the Liverpool game and trying to secure that crucial top 4 spot? Or will they put a strong squad out and try and grab a home lead in the first leg? or risk both....

anyways, I see their particular position rather daunting, considering, and will be interested to see what choices AVB makes.

Yeah, it's a really perplexing situation, but I think ultimately, you have to rest players against inter. the money they'll get from a CL spot next year would far outweigh the money they might get for progressing to the next round of the Europa league. they'll be looking to solidify their position in 3rd more than anything. i think they'll field a weakened side against Inter, defend and hope to nick a cheeky goal on the break. Maybe hope for a 0-0 or a 1-1 draw, something like that, maybe even a 1-0 win. then they'll field their best XI against Liverpool on Sunday, and depending on their next league opponent, field a strong side in Inter in the return leg.

Uncle Si wrote:Spurs will test "no English team gives a crap about it" this week. They are in an interesting dilemma with the first leg against Inter on Thursday, then a crucial away league tie at Liverpool on Sunday. They are in 3rd, need to get points to keep their Champs league position. But also are now deep in the Euro League tourney and play a very strong Inter squad.

What Spurs do with their Thursday lineup will speak volumes to how they perceive the Euro tournament (Im not disagreeing with Glasgow either). Will they rest important players to be better prepared for the Liverpool game and trying to secure that crucial top 4 spot? Or will they put a strong squad out and try and grab a home lead in the first leg? or risk both....

anyways, I see their particular position rather daunting, considering, and will be interested to see what choices AVB makes.

Yeah, it's a really perplexing situation, but I think ultimately, you have to rest players against inter. the money they'll get from a CL spot next year would far outweigh the money they might get for progressing to the next round of the Europa league. they'll be looking to solidify their position in 3rd more than anything. i think they'll field a weakened side against Inter, defend and hope to nick a cheeky goal on the break. Maybe hope for a 0-0 or a 1-1 draw, something like that, maybe even a 1-0 win. then they'll field their best XI against Liverpool on Sunday, and depending on their next league opponent, field a strong side in Inter in the return leg.

That's what I'd do, anyway

I agree, Peaches.

I'm going to assume that they have Champions League qualification as the primary goal for the season and at this stage they are well placed but still far from assured of achieving that objective. Therefore, I really hope that Bale, Vertonghen, Walker and Dembele are rested, lennon will probably need to start if Bale's out, and Loris will no doubt sit in favour of Friedel.

The objective on Thursday will surely be to keep Inter goalless, or to concede one tops.

While I find the group stages of the Europa League pretty dull, I like the final 32 onwards. I really hope we can beat Inter, even if it makes our run in more difficult. But, the league has to come first.

It's also worth bearing in mind that Inter are tied for 4th at the moment (with a pretty good Lazio, and with Fiorentina and Roma close behind) and may well rest players this Thursday too.

I suggest all in for Spurs on Thursday. Put the top lads in and let them rip. You must defend the Lane from those nasty Italians! They helped start the Big One for godsakes! They insulted the Queen! They insulted Kate! you must grit the bit and play it out.... maybe play a double header with Inter and Stoke.

Uncle Si wrote:I suggest all in for Spurs on Thursday. Put the top lads in and let them rip. You must defend the Lane from those nasty Italians! They helped start the Big One for godsakes! They insulted the Queen! They insulted Kate! you must grit the bit and play it out.... maybe play a double header with Inter and Stoke.

We will see you Sunday!

Ha ha! Although I'm pretty sure that last time we played Inter they only actually had one actual, real, live Italian in their squad!

And yeah, I'd definitely rather have our players take their chances against Inter than our mates Shawcross, Palacios and Adam at Stoke. That also has the added attraction of not having to listen to Tony Pulis doing his best 'Steve Bruce whinge mixed with Alex Ferguson hypocrisy' impression in the post match interview.

I can't wait for Sunday. I'll be watching with mates in London, including the guy I go to Spurs matches with (City and Southampton coming up on our itinerary) in the aftermath of another mate's stag party before crawling back catch a coach back to dirty old Bristol. There will be couple of United fans there as well to boo Liverpool (yes they are British, no they are not from Manchester, of course). Should be a good 'un!

``There is a lot of rest time between a Thursday and a Sunday (when Spurs play Liverpool.''- AVB pre-match interview

I like this quote. I see it as being both a refreshing change from the whingeing of Wenger et al about their players being tired and a soundbite to let the team know that they are expected to show up with some effort and energy for both games.

I'm pretty sure that he'll be resting players tonight when all is said and done, though.

I'll revisit the discussion from a couple of weeks ago about the decline of the premier league to add that, based on tonight's match, the English league may well worry have reason to about being eclipsed by Spain or even Germany eventually, but they have very little to be concerned about Serie A. That Inter display tonight was as bad as any I've seen this season. Spurs could easily have scored at least a couple more. Inter had one good chance and that was it.

Good to see AVB take this tournament seriously. It has been a poor year for English teams with a lack of quality. However, next year the new Sky/BT deal kicks in and I expect most EPL teams to spend a small/big fortune. This might improve English teams performance in Europe. I expect Man City to do better in Europe next year once Mancini, who I do not rate gets sacked.

Glasgow Seahawk wrote:Good to see AVB take this tournament seriously. It has been a poor year for English teams with a lack of quality. However, next year the new Sky/BT deal kicks in and I expect most EPL teams to spend a small/big fortune. This might improve English teams performance in Europe. I expect Man City to do better in Europe next year once Mancini, who I do not rate gets sacked.

Inter certainly didn't appear to be taking the tournament seriously. They did, however, double the number of Italians in the team from last time we played them, to a grand total of 2.

peachesenregalia wrote:I agree about Hazard, Simon. Big disappointment for me. I'm gonna throw Giroud out there also. Lots of hype for him but he hasn't really produced for me.

(that ought to awaken the beast)

Agreed about Giroud, and one of my Arsenal friends said him initially. He has the most potential of the Arsenal transfers from the summer and has really brought the least, despite seemingly being involved far more than Carzola and Podolski....

Podolski seems to be tapering off as well, as I had predicted. Hes become very inconsistent again. Almost Steward Downing but with goals.

I'm really not trying to wind Gate up, but I recall all the fervor about Arsenal's signings last summer, and I said at the time they were gonna be much much worse without RVP carrying the load. Now, obviously losing a player of RVP's caliber will weaken any side, but the signings haven't produced nearly what they needed to.

peachesenregalia wrote:I'm really not trying to wind Gate up, but I recall all the fervor about Arsenal's signings last summer, and I said at the time they were gonna be much much worse without RVP carrying the load. Now, obviously losing a player of RVP's caliber will weaken any side, but the signings haven't produced nearly what they needed to.

peachesenregalia wrote:I'm really not trying to wind Gate up, but I recall all the fervor about Arsenal's signings last summer, and I said at the time they were gonna be much much worse without RVP carrying the load. Now, obviously losing a player of RVP's caliber will weaken any side, but the signings haven't produced nearly what they needed to.

Im not disagreeing... but we now sensy Gate can be.

Does Gylfi Siggurdson fall into this list?

I'd say not, because Spurs have performed quite well this year, and while he may not be a key contributer, he hasn't really hurt their success as far as I can tell.

I'm sure they expected much more out of Sigurddson, but he's been looking quite a bit better over the last few games. With him and Holtby, I think Dempsey is likely to play a reduced role next year if he's still around, which I doubt. Most disappointing has to be Giroud or Podolski. Between them they probably cost the club about as much as it would have cost to keep van Persie.

Hard lines, Hawkspur. Great match overall, SPurs definitely looked like they were going to run away with it after the interval, then the defensive error let Downing in and the match came alive again. Penalty was fair, I thought, and well-taken by Stevie. Yet again, defending on crosses and set pieces let us down at crucial times, but we scraped out a win. Things are going to get very interesting, Liverpool have a great wee run-in, with a home match against Chelsea in there. Could prove crucial.

peachesenregalia wrote:Hard lines, Hawkspur. Great match overall, SPurs definitely looked like they were going to run away with it after the interval, then the defensive error let Downing in and the match came alive again. Penalty was fair, I thought, and well-taken by Stevie. Yet again, defending on crosses and set pieces let us down at crucial times, but we scraped out a win. Things are going to get very interesting, Liverpool have a great wee run-in, with a home match against Chelsea in there. Could prove crucial.

penalty was fair... probably earned two others with the Coutinho foul and the clip on Sturridge (although he sold it rather theatrically).

the 4-4-2 let us down in the first half. Spurs better in possession and found gaps in the middle with ease. Second half was better defensively, but as peaches said, we were let down by defensive mishaps on set pieces. The pass back was interesting, at it wasnt the first time it happened. Spurs tried (and barely succeeded) with the same pass in the first half, from nearly the same spot.

Either way, well played and frenetic pace and energy from both teams. great match. Spurs will be fine in securing CL I think.